French · girl
Janelle
A familiar name with a nostalgic, vintage feel.
Meaning
God is gracious
Janelle is a rare girl name with French roots. In 2024, 362 newborns in the U.S. were given the name — ranking it #776 nationally, and it has been gently easing in recent years. Its style leans vintage, soft — tags you can match against your partner's picks in the combiner.
About French names
French names carry an unmistakable polish — soft endings, silent letters, and a rhythm that lands gently on the ear. Many are saints' names refined over centuries, others elegant feminine forms ending in -ette, -ine, or -elle. In the U.S. they often read as sophisticated without being fussy, which is why names like Claire, Juliette, and Genevieve cross the Atlantic so easily.
Meaning and origin are editorial; U.S. popularity comes from Social Security Administration public files.
Similar names
If you like Janelle, look at these
French · Supplanter (French feminine of Jacob)
#589 in 2024
French · She; short form of Eleanor
#480 in 2024
French · God is my oath (form of Elizabeth)
#170 in 2024
French · Pretty or cheerful
#902 in 2024
French · Youthful (French form of Juliet)
#129 in 2024
French · Weapon, a modern variant
#788 in 2024